South Gate, CA – Members of the California State Student Association and the California State University joined Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) today on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills to urge the governor to sign AB 2813 (De La Torre).  The bill would raises the age limit for Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement awards from 24 to 27 years to better reflect the average age of students seeking a college degree in the state. 

“Each Cal Grant recipient is an important investment in our state's future.  Community College students have a difficult time paying for school, a situation that is exacerbated by the many obligations of older college students,” stated De La Torre.  “I am pleased that the age limitation will be eased under this bill and I commit to continue to work with students to expand Cal Grant eligibility in the future.”

AB 2813 is the first step in a more comprehensive effort to increase financial aid for all eligible California students including doubling the number of competitive grants as demand has grown and providing Cal Grant B high school entitlement award recipients with tuition to cover the initial year of their award. 

The average age of students seeking a college degree in California is 27. However the Cal Grant Entailment program’s age cap to receive this grant is 24.   The signing of Assembly Bill 2813 age cap would increase the age cap 24 to 27 providing aid to eligible students who are currently restricted from the grant because of their age.

Students attending CSU Dominguez Hills would particularly benefit from this legislation since the average age is nearly years old and over 45% of the student population were transfers students in the Fall of 2005. 

“Our average student is older, works at least part-time and many transfer from two-year community colleges,” said Charles B. Reed, chancellor of the California State University system.  “More than half of our students receive some type of financial aid, and the passage of AB 2813 lays the foundation to help the most financially needy students realize their dream of getting a college education.”

The cost of higher education and access to college has become less affordable for many students due to student fee increases, textbook cost, and the 12.5 billion dollars cut from federal student loan programs last year.  State financial aid is needed more than ever before and the university community that the Governor ease age restrictions in the Cal Grant Entitlement program to make California’s financial aid program fair and equitable.

“All students should have the opportunity to attend college regardless of their financial status,” said Nadir Vissanji, Chair California State Student Association “Too few of California’s students are getting the financial aid they need to attend college.”

AB 2813 has received bipartisan votes throughout the legislative process, and is supported by educational leaders, faculty, students, and other groups have registered their support.  Governor Schwarzenegger has until September 31, to sign, veto, or take no action on the bill – in which case it would be come law without his signature.